Steam-trap



(No Model.)

W. J. BGAN. STEAM TRAP.

No. 544,464. Patented Aug. 13, 1895.

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@Mouw/(LK NTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. EGAN, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

STEAM-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 544,464, dated August 13, 1895.

Application filed January 12, 1895. Serial No. 534,662. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. EGAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Milwaukee, in the county ot' Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam- Traps; and I do hereby declare that the following is a f'ull, clear, and exact'description thereof.

My invention has for its object to provide a simple, economical, and efticient steam-trap, the same consisting in certain peculiarities of construction and combination of' parts, hereinafter specified, with reference to the accompanying drawing, and subsequently claimed.

The drawing represents a vertical transverse section of' myimproved steam-trap, and referring by letter to said drawing, A represents a cup-like shell, preferably provided with legs B, that may be integral therewith, as herein shown, or joined thereto by any suitable means. The bottom of the shell is provided with a nipple O, to which a wastepipe D for water of condensation is coupled, this water and steam being admitted to said shell through a pipe E, joined thereto at a suitable elevation.

Supported on an outturned flange F at the upper end of the shell is an expansible diaphragm G, opposed by the anged rim H of a .dome I, the latter being provided with an inlet that is normally closed by a screw-plug J or other suitable means. The shell and domefianges are bolted together to form a hollow structure partitioned by the horizontal diaphragm G, and in case this diaphragm is not sufficient to render the joint steam-tight, gaskets of' compressible material maybe utilized for the purpose, such gaskets being common in the art of steam-fitting.

Extending through the diaphragm G, to engage a clamping-nut K, is the reduced screwthreaded upper end L of' a plug-valve M, that seats in the inner end of the nipple O, above specified, the seating and unseating of this valve being due to the action of said diaphragm, as hereinafter more particularly set forth.

Vhile I have shown one practical form of my device, the structural details of the same may be somewhat varied, especially in the matter of connecting the shell and dome to hold the diaphragm in position.

In practice the space above the diaphragm G is partly filled with a suitable liuid admitted through the inlet in the dome I, this inlet being subsequently closed by the screw-plug J or its equivalent. While the fluid in the dome may be water, it is preferably one that has a greater expansion than water at a known temperature, alcohol, naphtha, benzine, and various other iiuids being suitable for the purpose. It also follows that a mixture of Water and other more expansible fluid may be utilized, the proportions of the mixture being variable, according to the amount of pressure it is desirable to exert upon the diaphragm from within the dome at a predetermined temperature, this being a matter for determination subject to the conditions under which my steam-trap is to be employed.

VWater of condensation from the steam-circulating system accumulates in the shell A through the pipe E, and said shell being filled the pressure of steam behind said water causes the diaphragm to rise and unseat the valve M, thereby permitting the trap to drain. When the water in the shell recedes to a point below the inlet-pipe the space intermediate of said water and the diaphragm lls with steam. Consequently an expansion of the iuid in the dome takes place to generate pressure exceeding that in said shell. The excess pressure being exerted downward on the dia. phragm, the valve is seated to cut ol the -shell-outlet-an operation that takes place sooner or later, in proportion to the expansive qualities of the fluid in the dome at a known temperature. Owing to the comparatively small Volume of fluid in the dome andthe exposure of this dome to atmosphere, there is a rapid condensation of said iiuid whenever water rises in the shell to overflow the inlet-pipe and come in contact with the diaphragm. Consequently the action of said diaphragm to unseat the valve takes place in the manner above described, said valve remaining off its seat until the pressure in said dome again exceeds that in said shell.

From the foregoing it will be seen that my steam-trap is entirely automatic and has no parts liable to clog or get opt of order, while IOO at the same time it requires but little attention, inasmuch as the supply of fiuid above the diaphragm does not have to be frequently replenished, because its intermediate expansion and condensation take place Within a closed space.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A steam trap comprising a closed hollow structure, a horizontal partition in the form of an expansible diaphragm arranged to divide said structure into two compartments one of which is provided With a bottom outlet as Well as an inlet at a suitable elevation, the other being a receptacle for suitable fluid, and a valve depending from said diaphragm to control the aforesaid outlet.

2. A steam-trap comprising a cup-like shell having a bottom outlet and provided with an inlet at a suitable elevation, a dome rigidly secured on the shell, an expansible diaphragm arranged to form a partition between the dome and shell, as Well as a support for fluid within said dome; and a valve depending from the diaphragm in register with the shelloutlet.

3. Asteam-trap comprising a cup-like shell having a bottom outlet, an inlet at a suitable elevation and an outturned flange at its upper end; an expansible diaphragm on the flange, aanged dome vabove the diaphragm in boltconnection with the shell-'flange and provided with an inlet having a steam-tight closure, a plug-valve for the shell-outlet having a reduced screw-threaded upper end extended through said diaphragm and a clamping-nut run on said upper end of the plug-valve.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand, at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of lVisconsin, in the presence of two witnesses.

XVILLIAM J. EGAN.

Witnesses:

H. E. OLIPHANT, HENRY DANKERT. 

